Updating cache using two bloom filters

ABSTRACT

Updating cache devices includes a processor to detect a first set of hash functions and a first bit array corresponding to elements of a cache. In some examples, the processor detects a first instruction to add a new element to the cache and modify the first bit array based on the new element. Additionally, the processor processes a first invalidation operation and generates a second bit array and a second set of hash functions, while processing additional instructions. The processor deletes the first bit array and the first set of hash functions in response to detecting that the second bit array and the second set of hash functions have each been generated. Some examples process a second invalidation operation with the second set of hash functions and the second bit array.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to updating cache devices, and morespecifically, but not exclusively, to updating cache devices using twoBloom filters.

A Bloom filter is a space-efficient probabilistic data structure that isused to test whether a particular element is a member of a set. Falsepositive matches are possible, but false negatives are not, that is, aquery returns either “possibly in set” or “definitely not in set.”

An empty Bloom filter is a bit array of “m” bits set to “0.” There mustalso be “k” different hash functions defined, each hash function hashessome set element to one of the “m” array positions, generating a uniformrandom distribution. Typically, “k” is a constant much smaller than “m,”which is proportional to the number of elements to be added. The precisechoice of “k” and the constant of proportionality of “m” are determinedby the intended false positive rate of the filter.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is a method thatperforms the following steps (not necessarily in the following order):(i) detecting a first set of hash functions and a first bit arraycorresponding to elements of a cache; (ii) detecting a first instructionto add a new element to the cache; (iii) modifying the first bit arraybased on the new element, wherein modifying the first bit arraycomprises modifying bit values corresponding to a hash value detectedfrom the first set of hash functions applied to the new element; (iv)processing a first invalidation operation using the first bit array; (v)generating a second bit array and a second set of hash functions, whileprocessing additional instructions with the first bit array; (vi)deleting the first bit array and the first set of hash functions inresponse to detecting the second bit array and the second set of hashfunctions have been generated; and (vii) processing a secondinvalidation operation using the second set of hash functions and thesecond bit array.

According to an embodiment described herein, a system for managing cachecan include a processor to detect a first set of hash functions and afirst bit array corresponding to elements of a cache and detect a firstinstruction to add a new element to the cache. The processor can alsomodify the first bit array based on the new element, wherein modifyingthe first bit array comprises modifying bit values corresponding to ahash value detected from the first set of hash functions applied to thenew element. Additionally, the processor can process a firstinvalidation operation using the first bit array and generate a secondbit array and a second set of hash functions, while processingadditional instructions with the first bit array. Furthermore, theprocessor can delete the first bit array and the first set of hashfunctions in response to detecting the second bit array and the secondset of hash functions have been generated and process a secondinvalidation operation using the second set of hash functions and thesecond bit array.

According to another embodiment, a method for updating cache devices caninclude detecting a first set of hash functions and a first bit arraycorresponding to elements of a cache. The method can also includedetecting a first instruction to add a new element to the cache andmodifying the first bit array based on the new element, whereinmodifying the first bit array comprises modifying bit valuescorresponding to a hash value detected from the first set of hashfunctions applied to the new element. Additionally, the method caninclude processing a first invalidation operation using the first bitarray and generating a second bit array and a second set of hashfunctions, while processing additional instructions to add additionalelements to the cache. Furthermore, the method can include deleting thefirst bit array and the first set of hash functions in response todetecting the second bit array and the second set of hash functions havebeen generated, and processing a second invalidation operation using thesecond set of hash functions and the second bit array.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product for updatingcache devices using two Bloom filters can include a computer readablestorage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, whereinthe computer readable storage medium is not a transitory signal per se.The program instructions can be executable by a processor to cause theprocessor to detect a first set of hash functions and a first bit arraycorresponding to elements of a cache and detect a first instruction toadd a new element to the cache. The program instructions can also beexecutable by a processor to cause the processor to modify the first bitarray based on the new element, wherein modifying the first bit arraycomprises modifying bit values corresponding to a hash value detectedfrom the first set of hash functions applied to the new element.Additionally, the program instructions can be executable by a processorto cause the processor to process a first invalidation operation usingthe first bit array and generate a second bit array and a second set ofhash functions, while processing additional instructions to addadditional elements to the cache. Furthermore, the program instructionscan be executable by a processor to cause the processor to delete thefirst bit array and the first set of hash functions in response todetecting the second bit array and the second set of hash functions havebeen generated, and process a second invalidation operation using thesecond set of hash functions and the second bit array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a first embodiment of a computingsystem to update a cache device using two Bloom filters according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram showing a method performed, at least inpart, by the first embodiment computing system;

FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of a computer-readable storage medium thatupdates a cache device using two Bloom filters according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative cloud computing environment according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative set of functional abstraction layersprovided by a cloud computing environment according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Dual Bloom filters are maintained, one active and another inactive, toachieve an efficient filter design. When a sweep of the data set iscaused by a hit of the active filter, the inactive filter is rebuiltbased on the data set.

Cache devices can execute invalidation operations. For example, cachedevices can store data using virtual memory addresses that correspond toeffective memory addresses in main memory devices. The data stored inthe cache devices can be copies of data stored in the main memorydevices, which can be loaded into the cache devices in response to aprocessor executing an instruction that involves the data. In someembodiments, the processor can detect if a copy of data is stored incache before requesting the data from main memory. If the copy of datais stored in a cache device, the processor can load the data with afaster response time than requesting the data from a main memory device.However, copies of data can be removed from the cache devices.Accordingly, an invalidation operation may indicate that data stored ina cache device is no longer accessible. In some examples, theinvalidation operation can also indicate that a virtual memory addressrequested by a processor does not translate to a memory range in a cachedevice, which indicates that the virtual memory address may be invalid.

In some embodiments described herein, a device can process invalidationoperations using a filter. For example, a filter can indicate whether avirtual memory address referenced in an invalidation operationcorresponds to a cache device. The filter can prevent a cache devicefrom executing an unnecessary invalidation operation. In someembodiments, a device can filter invalidation operations by determiningif a virtual memory address may reside in a cache device. For example, adevice for updating cache systems can use two Bloom filters to processinvalidation operations. For example, a device can detect a first set ofhash functions and a first bit array corresponding to elements orvirtual memory addresses of a cache and detect a first instruction toadd or process a new element to the cache. The device can also modifythe first bit array based on the new element, wherein modifying thefirst bit array comprises modifying bit values corresponding to a hashvalue detected from the first set of hash functions applied to the newelement. Furthermore, the device can process a first invalidationoperation using the first bit array and generate a second bit array anda second set of hash functions, while processing additional instructionsto add additional elements to the cache and invalidate additionalelements of the cache. The device can also delete the first bit arrayand the first set of hash functions in response to detecting the secondbit array and the second set of hash functions have been generated. Insome embodiments, the device can also process a second invalidationoperation with the second bit array. Accordingly, the techniquesdescribed herein can prevent scanning a cache device for eachinvalidation operation.

With reference now to FIG. 1, an example computing device is depictedthat can update a cache device using two Bloom filters. The computingdevice 100 may be for example, a server, desktop computer, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, or smartphone. In some examples, computingdevice 100 may be a cloud computing node. Computing device 100 may bedescribed in the general context of computer system executableinstructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computersystem. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs,objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computingdevice 100 may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed cloud computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer system storage media including memory storage devices.

The computing device 100 may include a processor 102 that is adapted toexecute stored instructions, a memory device 104 to provide temporarymemory space for operations of said instructions during operation. Theprocessor can be a single-core processor, multi-core processor,computing cluster, or any number of other configurations. The memory 104can include random access memory (RAM), read only memory, flash memory,or any other suitable memory systems.

The processor 102 may be connected through a system interconnect 106(e.g., PCI®, PCI-Express®, etc.) to an input/output (I/O) deviceinterface 108 adapted to connect the computing device 100 to one or moreI/O devices 110. The I/O devices 110 may include, for example, akeyboard and a pointing device, wherein the pointing device may includea touchpad or a touchscreen, among others. The I/O devices 110 may bebuilt-in components of the computing device 100, or may be devices thatare externally connected to the computing device 100.

The processor 102 may also be linked through the system interconnect 106to a display interface 112 adapted to connect the computing device 100to a display device 114. The display device 114 may include a displayscreen that is a built-in component of the computing device 100. Thedisplay device 114 may also include a computer monitor, television, orprojector, among others, that is externally connected to the computingdevice 100. In addition, a network interface controller (NIC) 116 may beadapted to connect the computing device 100 through the systeminterconnect 106 to the network 118. In some embodiments, the NIC 116can transmit data using any suitable interface or protocol, such as theinternet small computer system interface, among others. The network 118may be a cellular network, a radio network, a wide area network (WAN), alocal area network (LAN), or the Internet, among others. A remote server120 may connect to the computing device 100 through the network 118.

The processor 102 may also be linked through the system interconnect 106to a storage device 122 that can include a hard drive, an optical drive,a USB flash drive, an array of drives, or any combinations thereof. Insome examples, the storage device 122 may include a filter manager 124,and a cache manager 126. In some embodiments, the filter manager 124 candetect a first set of hash functions and a first bit array correspondingto elements of a cache and detect a first instruction to add a newelement to the cache. In some examples, the first bit array is a Bloomfilter. The filter manager 124 can also modify the first bit array basedon the new element, wherein modifying the first bit array comprisesmodifying bit values corresponding to a hash value detected from thefirst set of hash functions applied to the new element. Furthermore, thefilter manager 124 can process a first invalidation operation using thefirst bit array and generate a second bit array and a second set of hashfunctions, while processing additional instructions with the first bitarray and delete the first bit array and the first set of hash functionsin response to detecting the second bit array and the second set of hashfunctions have been generated. In some embodiments, the cache manager126 can process a second invalidation operation with the second set ofhash functions and the second bit array. In some examples, the secondbit array is a Bloom filter.

It is to be understood that the block diagram of FIG. 1 is not intendedto indicate that the computing device 100 is to include all of thecomponents shown in FIG. 1. Rather, the computing device 100 can includefewer or additional components not illustrated in FIG. 1 (e.g.,additional memory components, embedded controllers, modules, additionalnetwork interfaces, etc.). Furthermore, any of the functionalities ofthe filter manager 124 and the cache manager 126 may be partially, orentirely, implemented in hardware and/or in the processor 102. Forexample, the functionality may be implemented with an applicationspecific integrated circuit, logic implemented in an embeddedcontroller, or in logic implemented in the processor 102, among others.In some embodiments, the functionalities of the filter manager 124 andthe cache manager 126 can be implemented with logic, wherein the logic,as referred to herein, can include any suitable hardware (e.g., aprocessor, among others), software (e.g., an application, among others),firmware, or any suitable combination of hardware, software, andfirmware.

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of an example method that can update acache based on two Bloom filters. The method 200 can be implemented withany suitable computing device, such as the computing device 100 of FIG.1.

At block 202, a filter manager 124 can detect a first set of hashfunctions and a first bit array corresponding to elements of a cache. Insome examples, the first set of hash functions can include any number ofhash functions based on hashing algorithms such as MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2,and SHA-3, among others. In some embodiments, the first bit array can bea Bloom filter that is initialized to a set of zero values and caninclude any suitable number of bits. In some examples, any number of thefirst set of hash functions can be used to set each bit of the first bitarray. For example, the filter manager 124 can generate hash values foreach element of the first bit array by applying each element of a set ofdata values to each of the hash functions. The result of each of thehash functions can be used to change bit values from zero to one. Insome embodiments, each bit that has a one value can indicate that anelement is either not in a set of elements mapped to the first bit arrayor is possibly in a set of elements mapped to the first bit array. Insome examples, each element of a cache corresponds to a data valuecopied from a main memory device. The first set of hash functions andthe first bit array can provide a filter for invalidation operations.For example, the first set of hash functions and the first bit array canindicate if a virtual memory address to effective or real memory addresstranslation of a data value resides in a cache device.

At block 204, the filter manager 124 can detect a first instruction toadd a new element to the cache. For example, the filter manager 124 candetect that a set mapped to the first bit array includes a new element.In some examples, the filter manager 124 can detect an instruction thatadds a new virtual memory address to effective memory addresstranslation to the first bit array. As discussed above, the first bitarray can indicate whether a virtual memory address to effective memoryaddress translation exists in a cache device.

At block 206, the filter manager 124 can modify the first bit arraybased on the new element, wherein modifying the first bit arraycomprises modifying bit values corresponding to a hash value detectedfrom the first set of hash functions applied to the new element. Forexample, the filter manager 124 can apply the new element to any numberof the hash functions and modify bits of the first bit array based onthe output values of the hash functions.

At block 208, the filter manager 124 can process a first invalidationoperation using the first bit array. The filter manager 124 can processthe first invalidation operation by determining if a memory address ormemory address translation corresponding to the invalidation operationis stored in a cache device. For example, the filter manager 124 can usethe first bit array to determine if a memory address or memory addresstranslation associated with the invalidation operation may be processedby a cache device. In some examples, the memory address translation cancorrespond to a virtual memory address to an effective memory addresstranslation. The invalidation operation can result in deleting memoryaddresses or memory address translations from a cache device, which canresult in updating the first bit array by generating a second bit arrayin block 210 below. In some examples, the first bit array and the secondbit array are Bloom filters, which can prohibit deleting elements ordata values from the arrays.

At block 210, the filter manager 124 can generate a second bit array anda second set of hash functions, while processing additional instructionswith the first bit array. The additional instructions can includeinstructions to add new elements or data values to the cache,instructions to update the first bit array based on the new elements,and instructions to process additional invalidation operations, amongothers. In some examples, the second set of hash functions differs fromthe first set of hash functions. In some embodiments, the filter manager124 can designate the first bit array as an active array forinvalidation operations or queries until a second bit array isgenerated, wherein the second bit array is also a Bloom array or Bloomfilter. In some embodiments, the filter manager 124 can generate asecond bit array each time an invalidation operation is processed usingthe first bit array. In some examples, the filter manager 124 can detectat least one element to remove from a set of elements mapped to thefirst bit array and prevent bits from being set in the second bit arraybased on the at least one element during the generation of the secondbit array. In some embodiments, the deleted bits from the first bitarray correspond to invalid virtual memory address to effective memoryaddress translations.

At block 212, the filter manager 124 can delete the first bit array andthe first set of hash functions in response to detecting the second bitarray and the second set of hash functions have been generated. Forexample, the filter manager 124 can designate the second bit array asthe active array and invalidation operations or cache queries can beperformed based on the second bit array.

At block 214, a cache manager 126 can process a second invalidationoperation using the second set of hash functions and the second bitarray. In some embodiments, the cache comprises an address translationcache and the invalidation operations correspond to invalidated memorypages in which a virtual memory address does not exist for an actualmemory address. In some examples, the cache manager 126 can alternatebetween designating the first bit array as the active array and thesecond bit array as the active array. For example, the cache manager 126can maintain two Bloom filters or bit arrays that process invalidationoperations.

In some examples, the cache manager 126 can use a first Bloom filteruntil an invalidation operation is processed using the first Bloomfilter, then a second Bloom filter is generated and used until a secondinvalidation operation is processed. The cache manager 126 can thenre-generate the first Bloom filter for processing a third invalidationoperation and delete the second Bloom filter when the first Bloom filteris re-generated. Accordingly, the invalidation operations can result inthe cache manager 126 re-generating one of the two Bloom filters anddesignating the newly generated Bloom filter as the active array toprocess the next subsequent invalidation operation.

The process flow diagram of FIG. 2 is not intended to indicate that theoperations of the method 200 are to be executed in any particular order,or that all of the operations of the method 200 are to be included inevery case. In some examples, prior to processing an invalidationoperation, the filter manager 124 can detect and process any number ofinstructions to add new elements to a cache device, wherein theinstructions result in modifying bits in the first bit array. Theinvalidation operations can include system commands that invalidate atranslation from a virtual page to a real page such as translationlook-aside buffer invalidate commands (TLBIs) or segment look-aidebuffer invalidate commands (SLBIs).

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical functions. In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram is depicted of an example of atangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that can update cachedevices. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium 300 maybe accessed by a processor 302 over a computer interconnect 304.

Furthermore, the tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium 300may include code to direct the processor 302 to perform the operationsof the current method. For example, a filter manager 306 can detect afirst set of hash functions and a first bit array corresponding toelements of a cache and detect a first instruction to add a new elementto the cache. The filter manager 306 can also modify the first bit arraybased on the new element, wherein modifying the first bit arraycomprises modifying bit values corresponding to a hash value detectedfrom the first set of hash functions applied to the new element.Furthermore, the filter manager 306 can process a first invalidationoperation using the first bit array and generate a second bit array anda second set of hash functions, while processing additional instructionswith the first bit array and delete the first bit array and the firstset of hash functions in response to detecting the second bit array andthe second set of hash functions have been generated. In someembodiments, a cache manager 308 can process a second invalidationoperation using the second set of hash functions and the second bitarray.

It is to be understood that any number of additional software componentsnot shown in FIG. 3 may be included within the tangible, non-transitory,computer-readable medium 300, depending on the specific application.Furthermore, fewer software components than those shown in FIG. 3 can beincluded in the tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium 300.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrative cloud computing environment 400 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 400 comprises one ormore cloud computing nodes 402 with which local computing devices usedby cloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant(PDA) or cellular telephone 404A, desktop computer 404B, laptop computer404C, and/or automobile computer system 404N may communicate. Nodes 402may communicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown)physically or virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private,Community, Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or acombination thereof. This allows cloud computing environment 400 tooffer infrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which acloud consumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 404A-Nshown in FIG. 4 are intended to be illustrative only and that computingnodes 402 and cloud computing environment 400 can communicate with anytype of computerized device over any type of network and/or networkaddressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 5, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 400 (FIG. 4) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 5 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided.

Hardware and software layer 500 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers; storagedevices; networks and networking components. Examples of softwarecomponents include network application server software and databasesoftware.

Virtualization layer 502 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients. In oneexample, management layer 504 may provide the functions described below.Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement of computingresources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks withinthe cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing provide costtracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computingenvironment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 506 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and updating cache devices.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

Some helpful definitions follow:

Present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication thatthe subject matter described by the term “present invention” is coveredby either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that mayeventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “presentinvention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for whichdisclosures herein that are believed as maybe being new, thisunderstanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” istentative and provisional and subject to change over the course ofpatent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as theclaims are potentially amended.

Embodiment: see definition of “present invention” above—similar cautionsapply to the term “embodiment.”

and/or: inclusive or; for example, A, B “and/or” C means that at leastone of A or B or C is true and applicable.

User/subscriber: includes, but is not necessarily limited to, thefollowing: (i) a single individual human; (ii) an artificialintelligence entity with sufficient intelligence to act as a user orsubscriber; and/or (iii) a group of related users or subscribers.

Module/Sub-Module: any set of hardware, firmware and/or software thatoperatively works to do some kind of function, without regard to whetherthe module is: (i) in a single local proximity; (ii) distributed over awide area; (iii) in a single proximity within a larger piece of softwarecode; (iv) located within a single piece of software code; (v) locatedin a single storage device, memory or medium; (vi) mechanicallyconnected; (vii) electrically connected; and/or (viii) connected in datacommunication.

Computer: any device with significant data processing and/or machinereadable instruction reading capabilities including, but not limited to:desktop computers, mainframe computers, laptop computers,field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based devices, smart phones,personal digital assistants (PDAs), body-mounted or inserted computers,embedded device style computers, application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC) based devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:detecting a first set of hash functions and a first bit arraycorresponding to elements of a cache; detecting a first instruction toadd a new element to the cache; modifying the first bit array based onthe new element, wherein modifying the first bit array comprisesmodifying bit values corresponding to a hash value detected from thefirst set of hash functions applied to the new element; processing afirst invalidation operation using the first bit array; generating asecond bit array and a second set of hash functions, while processingadditional instructions with the first bit array; deleting the first bitarray and the first set of hash functions in response to detecting thesecond bit array and the second set of hash functions have beengenerated; and processing a second invalidation operation using thesecond set of hash functions and the second bit array.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: deleting thesecond bit array and the second set of hash functions responsive toprocessing the second invalidation operation with the second bit array.3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first bitarray and the second bit array are Bloom filters.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting atleast one element to remove from the first bit array; and preventingbits from being set based on the at least one element during thegeneration of the second bit array.
 5. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, further comprising: designating the first bit array as anactive array for invalidation operations until the second bit array isgenerated.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, whereindesignation of the active array alternates between the first bit arrayand the second bit array.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the second set of hash functions differs from the first set ofhash functions.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinthe cache comprises an address translation cache and the invalidationoperations correspond to invalidated memory pages in which a virtualmemory address does not exist for an actual memory address.